Chapter 1

I ran into my husband Ryan's two childhood friends at a coffee shop—friends he hadn't seen in years.

Just as I was about to say hello, I overheard them talking about Ryan:

"Ryan's finally getting his life back on track. He's getting married again."

"His ex-wife died shortly after they got married. Such a tragedy."

I froze in shock.

I'm alive and well—how could I be dead?

And our son is almost three years old. Who is he remarrying?

After eavesdropping a bit longer, I learned that Ryan's bride-to-be was named Vivian Shaw.

I quietly noted the wedding venue and date, then slipped away.

That weekend, I arrived at the hotel following the address.

The venue was bustling with guests everywhere.

As I entered, I casually handed my gift to a receptionist.

When she asked for my name, I said coldly:

"The ex-wife, back from the dead."

The receptionist shot me a sidelong glance. "Why would you say something so unlucky on such a happy occasion?"

I ignored her and turned to see an enormous wedding photo displayed at the entrance.

The man was my husband. The woman was a complete stranger.

This wedding photo clearly cost a fortune.

Years ago, I'd suggested we get photos taken there too.

He'd said, "Wedding photos are just for show. Spending that much money is completely pointless."

"As long as we love each other and build a good life together, that's what really matters."

In the end, he chose a photography studio near our house—the cheapest package they had.

I spotted several familiar faces—all relatives from Ryan's side.

I never imagined Ryan would be brazen enough to flaunt his affair right in front of his own family.

Glancing casually toward the main table, I felt my blood run cold.

Sitting at the groom's family table were Ryan's parents—my in-laws.

Relatives kept coming over to offer congratulations. The two of them were beaming, their smiles never fading.

Fragments of conversation drifted over:

"Vivian is such a good girl. You can tell she brings good fortune!"

My mother-in-law, Zoe's smile stretched even wider. "Absolutely! Ever since Ryan met her, things have gotten better year after year. Not like that last one—bad luck and short-lived, a total jinx. Ah, but let's not talk about her on such a happy day..."

Her words stabbed into my chest. After all these years of treating them kindly, I never realized they resented me so much behind my back.

My father-in-law chimed in, "I was against Ryan marrying her from the start!"

Who? Me?

"Well, she was the one who pursued Ryan relentlessly, insisting on marrying him. Otherwise, how would she have ever gotten through our door?"

"I knew it. Women who cling desperately like that are never quality. You get what you pay for!"

Listening to them discuss me like I was some commodity, I wanted to march right over and confront them. But I held myself back.

I'd settle this score soon enough.

I turned and left the banquet hall.

The bride was surrounded by several bridesmaids, preparing to make her entrance.

Vivian noticed me coming out of the hall and greeted me with a smile. "You must be one of Ryan's coworkers!"

My emotions roiled inside, but I suppressed the urge to reveal everything and simply hummed in response.

One of the bridesmaids grabbed Vivian's hand, eyeing the gold bracelet on her wrist enviously.

"Vivian, you're so lucky! Ryan is so generous with you. This bracelet must be worth at least $100,000, right?"

"He insisted on buying it. He said marriage is a lifelong commitment, so if you're going to buy something, buy the best." Vivian touched the bracelet, the corners of her mouth curling up involuntarily.

My heart felt like it had been punctured. When Ryan and I got married, I had nothing.

I'd suggested buying wedding rings—at least something to mark the occasion.

He'd said, "What's the point of buying that stuff? You can't eat it or wear it. You're not that materialistic anyway."

Seeing my obvious disappointment, he'd coaxed me, "When I get a raise later, I'll make it up to you."

Later, his career flourished and his salary increased year after year. He did keep his promise.

Every year when he received his bonus, he'd buy me a gold bar, saying it would be security for me and our son in the future.

Wait—where did he get the money to buy Vivian a bracelet?

He gives me his entire monthly salary now, and I know exactly what his year-end bonuses are.

I was puzzling over this when another bridesmaid said enviously, "I heard your husband's company is doing really well. He gets hundreds of thousands in profit shares every year. Forget one gold bracelet—Ryan could buy you ten of them."

Profit shares?

We've been married almost six years, and I had no idea he had company shares.

I've seen Ryan's monthly pay stubs. After taxes, $18,000.

Every month he gives me $15,000 and keeps $3,000 for entertainment expenses.

I never suspected a thing.

But apparently, he gets hundreds of thousands in profit shares every year.